The 5-WHY exploration method
Use this once the investigation is done and the evidence is collected. It takes one outcome, walks it down a minimum of three levels of why, and prints a record you can file against the NCR or event report.
New to the method? Read the guide — the 5 WHY is gold.
There is more to this tool than meets the eye.
Fill it in honestly and there is a step waiting at the end you will not see coming — it takes the actions you wrote and holds them up against the causes you found. That is usually where a routine paperwork exercise turns into a genuine piece of learning for the business. Get to the end and see what it tells you.
One outcome per record.
If there is more than one outcome, run a separate 5-WHY for each. Beyond five levels you are usually exploring a second problem — split it out. The method also works on a success, to identify what is worth repeating.
Your details and logo — all optional
Every field in this section is optional. Fill in what you want printed at the top of the record — leave it all blank and the record still works exactly the same. Nothing here is sent anywhere: it stays in this browser and prints on your own copy.
Administration
The outcome statement
The 5 WHY
Minimum of three levels. For each answer, ask the WHAT questions: what caused it, what processes were involved, what equipment or plant, what training had been done or was needed. Then run the test.
Level 1 of 5
Level 2 of 5
Level 3 of 5
Recommended actions
Review the action that resolves the root cause against ESSA. Write NA against the ones that do not apply.
Timing and communication
Common questions
What is the 5 Why method?
You state one outcome — what actually happened — then ask why it happened, and keep asking why of each answer. Three levels is the minimum worth doing. Five is usually where the root cause sits.
How many levels of why do I need?
A minimum of three. If you find yourself needing more than five, you are probably exploring more than one problem — split them and run a separate 5-WHY for each.
Why can't the answer be 'more training' or 'better communication'?
Because both are outcomes of an investigation, not causes. Training will always come out of this process and communicating the result always has to happen. If a deep level lands on either, look wider for a cause of substance.
Can I use 5 Why for something that went right?
Yes. Same method, run on a success statement, so you can identify what to repeat rather than what to fix.
More free tools on the tools page, and the background reading sits in the guides.
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